Decades ago, Spanish classes involved repeating words from a textbook. Now, my child uses Google Translate to complete assignments and presents in Spanish with an English accent. Despite having a native Spanish-speaking teacher, there seems to be no focus on constructing sentences or pronunciation. I hoped my child would gain fluency in Spanish within a year, but it feels like a missed opportunity.
Fluent in a year? That’s unlikely.
zodiac said:
Fluent in a year? That’s unlikely.
Gaining fluency typically takes more than 5 years, even with full immersion.
zodiac said:
Fluent in a year? That’s unlikely.
Even living in Spain, I wasn’t fluent after one year. Managing expectations for a high school Spanish class is important.
zodiac said:
Fluent in a year? That’s unlikely.
In the US, becoming fluent in a year is not realistic. Schools usually use a combination of textbooks and language labs for teaching. It’s a good idea to discuss the teaching methods and expected outcomes with your child’s teacher.
Thinking a language can be mastered in a year is overly optimistic. Learning a language well takes several years.
It’s unrealistic to expect fluency in a year. What gave you that idea?
Some students think language classes are an easy A. When they face the reality, they often resort to shortcuts like Google Translate, prioritizing grades over actual learning.
Grayson said:
Some students think language classes are an easy A. When they face the reality, they often resort to shortcuts like Google Translate, prioritizing grades over actual learning.
Rote learning can discourage students. Even if you memorize thousands of words, fluency is still far off.
It takes time to become fluent. The use of Google Translate for assignments is generally discouraged. It’s worth checking whether it’s allowed. Project-based learning doesn’t mean there’s no input from the teacher. Gaining fluency, especially in pronunciation and accent, varies for each student.
@keny
I should have said I expected conversational skills, not fluency. My child relies on Google Translate, which I think is due to a lack of basic knowledge. Accepting new teaching methods is tough.
Tony1 said:
@keny
I should have said I expected conversational skills, not fluency. My child relies on Google Translate, which I think is due to a lack of basic knowledge. Accepting new teaching methods is tough.
Teaching methods vary. In a Spanish 1 course, for example, students are not expected to speak at an advanced level. Encouraging your child to avoid Google Translate and use other resources could be beneficial.
Tony1 said:
@keny
I should have said I expected conversational skills, not fluency. My child relies on Google Translate, which I think is due to a lack of basic knowledge. Accepting new teaching methods is tough.
The focus in education today is often on practical applications, like making presentations, rather than conversational fluency.
@Emma
Modern language teaching emphasizes practical communication. Your child might be doing presentations or skits in Spanish. It’s not just about formal presentations but about using language authentically.
Were you seriously expecting fluency in a year? What led you to that belief?
From my own high school experience, fluency in Spanish took years, not just one. We did cultural activities which helped, but real conversational ability came much later.
zane said:
From my own high school experience, fluency in Spanish took years, not just one. We did cultural activities which helped, but real conversational ability came much later.
Thanks for sharing. I’ve decided to supplement my child’s learning with additional resources at home to improve his Spanish skills.
@Tony1
That sounds like a proactive approach. It’s great to see parents taking an active role in their children’s education.